I’ve had tacos on my brain since Tuesday (and not just because of taco Tuesdays). You see, that’s when I had one of executive chef Dan Kluger’s most perfect mushroom tacos (among other perfect dishes) at ABC Cocina. It was gone in 60 seconds, but what a ride. Mole, kale, and lime round out the mushrooms and corn tortilla, and, if I’m being honest, I could probably have eaten five or six without stopping. In my mind, tacos are like sandwiches — the ideal foundation upon which you can layer flavors and ingredients to create a yummy, portable, eat-it-with-your-hands, often-one-of-a-kind delight. While most Mexican restaurants serve tacos, other restaurants do, too. See what your fellow diners are saying about the tasty tacos they’ve ordered in recent restaurant reviews.

* ABC Cocina, New York, New York: “We had the shrimp, chorizo-stuffed calamari, mushroom tacos, and fish tacos (grilled). We also had the mango iced tea and the homemade ginger soda. Everything was seasoned perfectly, cooked just right, and presented quite beautifully.”

* Cantina Feliz, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: “Husband ordered the carnitas tacos for the first time; liked it so much he ordered another to go also so our son could try them.”

* COCO500, San Francisco, California: “Coco500 has a wonderful range of dishes that are terrific for sharing and ever-so-tasty. The fried green beans, mole tacos, truffled mushroom flatbread, and a fantastic New York strip with arugula, perfectly cooked and sliced for sharing, are all absolute must-haves.”

This is a picture of the storied roasted carrot and avocado salad served at ABC Kitchen in New York moments before I devoured it.

I just ate two avocados for lunch. They were in that perfect-yet-fleeting moment — unbruised, soft, silky — so, really, it was a race against time, and I just had to eat them both. Anyway, it got me thinking about the increasing popularity of avocado in dishes that are not guacamole (although there’s nothing wrong with guacamole). Nature’s most decadent vegetable (Yes, I know it’s technically a fruit!) because of its rich taste and texture — and high (for a veggie) fat content, avocado is very beneficial to your health. According to the California Avocado Commission, “Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid. They also act as a ‘nutrient booster’ by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.” Additionally, avocado is alleged to be an aphrodisiac. Find out what OpenTable diners are saying about this good mood food in recent restaurant reviews.

* 43 North, Madison, Wisconsin: “The written menu fails entirely to describe the exceptional food. My husband and I opted to share a large salad and three small plates. Each dish was beautifully presented with surprising small flourishes, such as avocado fritters with the green salad.”

* ABC Kitchen, New York, New York: “Amazing brunch at ABC Kitchen. My wife started with the roasted carrot and avocado salad, which she loved.”

* Aqua Terra Restaurant, Fallbrook, California: “We shared the garlicky baked avocado appetizer. Fallbrook is the heart of avocado country, and this was a fine presentation.”

* Brigantine Coronado, Coronado, California: “I had the restaurant’s signature dish — swordfish with lemon avocado butter and blue cheese potato salad and vegetables. This was the best fish dish I have ever had in my life. It was so delicious; just perfect.”

* Contigo, San Francisco, California: “I love this place. I find the food to be consistently outstanding. Their little toasts are perfection — the sardine/avocado/pickled onion/salt one is my favorite.”

* Eveleigh, West Hollywood: “On a 70+ degree day in LA, it was gorgeous. The food was right up our alley, too. We had the avocado toast and baked eggs, and they were outstanding. Perfect amount for sharing.”

Caroline Potter

Caroline Potter is the Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable, Inc. She’s a dining trend-spotter and an OpenTable VIP, who dines out more than she eats in and has accrued more than 10,000 Dining Rewards points. Caroline started working in restaurants as a teen and she's since tackled every front-of-the-house job, from bartender and hostess to runner and server. She trained as a chef at Manhattan’s prestigious French Culinary Institute, cooking at L’Ecole. In addition to her role at OpenTable, she has written about food from farm to table for New York City’s famed Greenmarket and Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End magazines. Caroline is also a Certified Master Gardener.